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University of South Carolina Aiken vs Coastal Carolina University

University of South Carolina Aiken is a public university in Aiken, SC. Coastal Carolina University is a public university in Conway, SC. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants and University of South Carolina Aiken about 79%, making Coastal Carolina University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,641 a year at University of South Carolina Aiken after aid, and about $13,966 at Coastal Carolina University. About 50% of students graduate at Coastal Carolina University, compared with 40% at University of South Carolina Aiken. Ten years after enrolling, Coastal Carolina University alumni earn a median of about $47,258, against $45,603 for University of South Carolina Aiken.

University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC · Public

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Aiken, SC
Conway, SC
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
2,962
10,377
Acceptance rate
79%
75%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.4–3.9
3.41–3.91
SAT (middle 50%)
980–1220
1050–1220
ACT (middle 50%)
19–26
21–26
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$11,641
$13,966
Full cost / yr
$21,540
$26,692
In-state tuition
$10,760
$11,640
Out-of-state tuition
$21,218
$29,628
Application fee
$45
$45
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,987
$9,563
$30k - $48k
$8,435
$10,292
$48k - $75k
$11,440
$12,938
$75k - $110k
$16,046
$16,350
Over $110k
$17,502
$20,219
Outcomes
Graduation rate
40%
50%
Freshman retention
67%
77%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$39,689
$38,070
Median earnings (10 yr)
$45,603
$47,258
Median debt at graduation
$24,275
$23,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
39%
26%
First-generation students
33%
27%
International students
2%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Oct 15
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
Regular decision
Rolling
Feb 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is University of South Carolina Aiken or Coastal Carolina University harder to get into?
Coastal Carolina University is harder to get into. It admits about 75% of applicants, compared with 79% at University of South Carolina Aiken. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina Aiken or Coastal Carolina University?
University of South Carolina Aiken is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,641 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,966 at Coastal Carolina University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at University of South Carolina Aiken and Coastal Carolina University?
Before aid, University of South Carolina Aiken costs about $21,540 a year and Coastal Carolina University about $26,692. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of South Carolina Aiken or Coastal Carolina University?
University of South Carolina Aiken. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,987 there, against about $9,563 at Coastal Carolina University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, University of South Carolina Aiken or Coastal Carolina University?
Coastal Carolina University is the larger of the two, with about 10,377 undergraduates against 2,962 at University of South Carolina Aiken.
Does University of South Carolina Aiken or Coastal Carolina University have a better graduation rate?
Coastal Carolina University has the higher graduation rate, at about 50% against 40% at University of South Carolina Aiken.
Do graduates of University of South Carolina Aiken or Coastal Carolina University earn more?
Coastal Carolina University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $47,258 ten years after enrolling, against about $45,603 for University of South Carolina Aiken. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of South Carolina Aiken and Coastal Carolina University require SAT or ACT scores?
University of South Carolina Aiken considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Coastal Carolina University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do University of South Carolina Aiken and Coastal Carolina University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 980–1220 at University of South Carolina Aiken and 1050–1220 at Coastal Carolina University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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